Eviction Lawsuits Highlight Urgent Need for Landlords to Work with a Tenant Screening Agency to Stay Compliant; Opines TenantScreeningUSA.com
WALTHAM, Mass. (PRWEB) November 15, 2017 -- Two recent eviction lawsuits have shown an urgent need for landlords and property managers to remain compliant with existing law and working with a well-qualified tenant screening agency remains a best practice. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com opines: “The legal actions taking place in California and Minnesota highlight an immediate and urgent need for landlords to work with a third-party tenant screening agency in order to stay compliant with existing law as well as potentially avoiding costly legal action.”
In San Francisco a long-term resident was evicted by a landlord after being told the property would no longer handle Section 8 housing vouchers and would enact a substantial rent increase. (1)
From HometownSource.com (Oct. 19, 17)
On Oct. 19, Judge Ann Montgomery signed the order granting a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement in which the owners will pay the plaintiffs and former tenants of the 698-unit apartment building $650,000. The settlement also states the landlords must adhere to less aggressive screening tactics for new tenants, including: the removal of minimum income requirements, changes to household occupancy limits, review of rental history and criminal backgrounds, and alternative options to Social Security numbers and photo IDs. (2)
In San Francisco a couple received a $3.5 million dollar settlement over a wrongful eviction.
From SanFrancisco.CBSLocal.com (Oct. 27, 17):
A San Francisco couple scored a major legal victory against their former landlord for wrongful eviction Friday with a record verdict of more than $3.5 million.
Husband and wife plaintiffs Dale Duncan and Marta Mendoza claimed they were wrongfully evicted from their San Francisco home more than two years ago. (3)
Almeida opines: “Anytime there is a lawsuit regarding evictions, especially those with significant awards and/or settlements, landlords should take immediate note. By working with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening company regarding tenant screening policies and programs potential legal action may be avoided.”
Evictions and eviction checks remain a critical and important tool for landlords and property managers to assist in managing their property, but tenants have shown an increasing willingness to take legal action against suspect actions by landlords.
Almeida concludes: “Laws governing tenant screening and, specifically, evictions continue to evolve and change. The recent actions in San Francisco and Minnesota show an immediate and urgent reminder to landlords and property managers that they must work with third-party tenant screening agencies to remain compliant and avoid potential legal action.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com is a third-party tenant screening company that provides tenant background checks to landlords and property managers for all sizes and types of rental complexes, including self-storage. From the single-unit to the large community, TenantScreeningUSA.com has the ability to customize a tenant screening package specific to a managers unique requirements.
Notes:
(1) hometownsource.com/sun_current/richfield-former-tenants-settle-for-k-in-crossroads-suit/article_be3f6b20-b429-11e7-8d54-a3ea2f3efffe.html
(2) ibid
(3) sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/10/27/san-francisco-couple-wins-3-5-million-wrongful-eviction-verdict/
Dan Adams, Criminal Background Records, http://www.criminalbackgroundrecords.com, +1 (877) 811-6557, [email protected]
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